Financial Analyst

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Financial Administration (FAD) is dedicated to advancing Harvard University’s teaching and research mission by stewarding its resources; providing support, guidance, and consultation; ensuring compliance with university and federal guidelines; mitigating risk; pursuing operational excellence; and promoting the financial health of the University. 

More about FAD:  
Within and across the University, we aim to be exemplary colleagues, trusted partners, valued advisors, and agents of positive change.  
 
Within our own community, we aspire to:  

• Engage with respect, honesty, and integrity   
• Cultivate equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging   
• Welcome innovation, collaboration, and flexibility   
• Enjoy our work, grow professionally, and aim for the extraordinary 

Learn more about Financial Administration (harvard.edu) and our eight reporting units. (https://finance.harvard.edu/)

The Office for Sponsored Programs (OSP) is a department within Harvard University’s Financial Administration that is focused on providing high-quality administrative and financial assistance to faculty and other University affiliates performing sponsored research. OSP works with researchers across Harvard to help obtain and negotiate awards from sponsoring agencies, assist with grant proposal preparation, ensure compliance with federal regulations and University policies, provide financial support including financial reporting and billing and collection services, and promote knowledge of sponsored research administration throughout the University research community. 

The Financial Analyst (FA) is responsible for the oversight of financial deliverables and related compliance of a portfolio of sponsored awards, including monitoring, reporting, invoicing, accounts receivable collections, reconciliation, and closeout. The FA works in collaboration with clients (departments, centers, schools) to meet these deliverables and manage sponsored accounts. The portfolio will include a mix of departments and centers with approximately 200 active awards of various size and complexity. The position requires performance of complex analyses and review of award expenditures in conjunction with sponsor terms and regulations. After sufficient training in grants compliance and Harvard policies and systems, the FA will work independently and use judgment in interpreting and implementing sponsor and University policies and procedures. 

This is a great opportunity for a professional with some experience in accounting or financial management who is interested in working for a nonprofit, supporting University research, and learning more about sponsored accounting within higher education. The FA reports to the Research Finance Portfolio Team Manager.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

• Serves as a principal source of information on complex University, federal, and sponsor fiscal policies and procedures related to cash management, reporting, and closeout. Interprets guidelines and policies and effectively advises departmental staff on options or alternatives and recommends courses of action. 
• Works with departmental staff to achieve timely and accurate invoicing, financial reporting, reconciliation, and closeout of all sponsored awards in the portfolio. Monitors active awards to proactively identify potential issues. 
• Works collaboratively to research and resolve issues, escalating as needed. 
• Analyzes financial data and submits journal entries that will affect Harvard’s general ledger. Independently enters final data in Harvard’s auditable system of record for grants management (GMAS), including the sub-ledger responsible for receivables. 
• Analyzes financial data to identify potential risks and issues. Presents data and issues (quantitatively and qualitatively) in a way that is meaningful to departments, colleagues, managers, and auditors.  
• Proposes resolutions for complex issues and for financial management best practices. 
• Documents all work so that it is clear to other staff or auditors. Provides requested documentation for annual Single Audit and ad-hoc internal or external audits. 
• Interacts with Harvard’s sponsors as needed to clarify terms and submit required reports and invoices. 
• Liaises effectively with other groups, such as school financial offices, academic department leadership, pre-award offices, and central financial and technology units. 
• Provides backfill support for peers, as needed. 
• Assists with developing and delivering metrics/reports, business process documentation, training initiatives, and special projects as needed. 
• Other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications:

Basic Qualifications are the minimum threshold a candidate must meet in order to be considered for this role.

For consideration please include a cover letter.

• Associates degree or relevant work experience. 
• 3+ years of direct accounting, financial management, data analysis, and/or grants management experience. 

 Additional Qualifications and Skills:

The following qualifications are strongly preferred. If you meet some, but not all, you are still encouraged to apply; we value employees with a willingness to learn. (prioritized in order of importance) 

• Excellent organizational and time management skills. 
• Problem-solving orientation and ability to be thorough and detail-oriented and have the ability to summarize and convey the bigger picture. 
• Working knowledge of accounting and direct experience in financial management (incurring expenses, invoicing and reporting, accounts payable, and/or accounts receivable). 
• Ability to handle complex and confidential information with discretion and judgment. 
• Independent and professional judgment and prioritization. Ability to focus on the highest-risk items and allocate time accordingly, juggling multiple job duties and clients. 
• Education beyond high school or progress toward relevant professional certification may count toward experience 
• Demonstrated agility working with systems and reporting. 
• Customer service orientation with a collegial and collaborative approach to working with others across the University. 
• Intermediate to advanced expertise in Microsoft Excel (e.g. formulas, filters, charts, and pivot tables) and other Microsoft tools. 
• Experience with fund accounting or sponsored accounting is a plus. 
• Experience in a research environment is a plus. 
• Experience auditing or responding to an audit is very helpful.

Why join Harvard University Central Administration?

Harvard University's Central Administration (CADM) is a 5,000+ employee organization that supports the university's overall excellence by understanding and serving the needs of its schools, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and surrounding communities. Through dynamic and collaborative partnerships, CADM provides high-quality and efficient services to the schools to help them achieve their goals.

Appointment End Date:

• Working Conditions: Onsite work is performed in an office setting. 
• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
  Primarily remote role with flexibility to work on-site and optional in-person meetings bi-monthly. On-site attendance expectations may evolve based on business needs. 
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education
• Other Information:
  Please provide a cover letter and resume as one document with your application. 
  This position has a 90-day orientation and review period.  

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Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 055. Please visit  Harvard's Salary Ranges  to view the corresponding salary range and related information. 

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to: 

• Generous paid time off including parental leave 
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one 
• Retirement plans with university contributions 
• Wellbeing and mental health resources 
• Support for families and caregivers 
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement 
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks 

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page. 

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.